A NEW fun-loving street-food truck has rolled into Carlisle bringing good grub and plenty of laughs along the way. 

The Smash Shack, owned and operated by Sam Addis, opened its hatch to patrons last week and has been drawing in crowds ever since. 

“We did the first day at Morton Manor last week," Sam said. 

"It was fantastic, we were close to selling out, and then yesterday, we were at Everlast Gym, and we were close to a sell-out again.

“It’s a learning curve at the moment, but everyone understands it’s a new business,” she said.

Having taken the wheel from the former Nacho Nacho Van, Sam said “I was a customer at Nacho Nacho, I kept seeing the van and felt it was a sign.

"I’ve always wanted to do something like this.

"At 17, I threw myself into working at takeaways. I loved the crack and the atmosphere – I said for years, I was going to have my own one day.

"Never in a million years did I think I would actually do it," she said. 

Whilst Sam is still working 30 hours a week at Home Bargains, she hopes she will eventually be able to go full-time with the food truck.

"In time, I would like to think the van will work and I can do this full-time and live the dream I always wanted to do.

“I will be looking for a third location in due time but 100 per cent next year, I’ll be taking Smash Shack here, there, and everywhere,” she said.

Smash Shack's menu features humorously named smash burgers, dirty fries and signature corndogs with fresh produce coming from Steve Wilson's Butchers.

Sam has drawn inspiration to make corndogs after seeing it in Camden Market.

“When I got the van, I knew I needed something different and that’s the corndogs.

“No one does them here; it’s mine which makes you more chuffed.

"The menu is short and sweet, but the plan is to change it throughout the seasons.

“If you want to see something new, funny, and quirky – come here.

"I enjoy having a laugh and making people smile. If I can’t make my own day, I’d rather make someone else’s day," she said. 

You can catch Smash Shack every Tuesday from 5pm to 8pm outside Everlast Gym in Carlisle and every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm at Morton Manor.

You can follow them on Facebook here.